STEVE Cook revealed that Cherries' ambitious summer recruitment had rubber-stamped his decision to sign a fresh three-year contract with the club.

The 23-year-old centre-half, reportedly the subject of interest from Wolves and Premier League Crystal Palace over the past few months, today penned new terms which last until the summer of 2017.

Cook, a £170,000 signing from Brighton in January 2012, has consistently played down speculation linking him with moves away and publicly reiterated a desire to reach the Premier League with Cherries.

Since then midfielder Dan Gosling has been drafted in from Newcastle United, while winger Junior Stanislas rejected a deal with top-flight newcomers Burnley to boost the Dorset club's artillery ahead of their second season in the Championship.

And with Cherries still active in the transfer market, Cook insisted his unflinching enthusiasm to stay put had been vindicated by the club's lofty aspirations on and off the pitch.

Cook told the Daily Echo: “The new signings are Premier League qulaity and that is what we want. You hear different things about the players we will be getting in and it all sounds very promising.

“As a player you want reassurances that the club isn't going to stand still. We're constantly improving in so many ways with the new pitches being laid and so many things going on behind the scenes.

“We're gradually pushing towards that Premier League standard and that's what I couldn't miss out on. I had to stay and contribute to that.

“This is an unfinished project. We did so well at the back end of last season and I think we showed what a force we can be in this league. The club and the team are still growing and there is still a lot to come.”

Cook added that personal and professional considerations had come into play with little to mull over when making his final decision.

“I was waking up most mornings to see something different so it was nice to sort out my future and put any speculation to bed,” Cook continued.

“During the summer I had a few phone calls from my agent and I wasn't sure what would happen. But from my point of view, leaving never crossed my mind and as soon as Bournemouth offered me the new contract I jumped at the chance.

“The gaffer (Eddie Howe) and Jason (Tindall, assistant manager) played a huge part in my decision and so did my mum and dad, who were very keen for me to stay down here.

“My family live just down the coast and my sister is nearby so my parents come down quite a bit. To be honest, I love living here.

“That was a huge factor for me. It would have taken a lot for me to change anything and I had no reason to because I love playing for the club. As soon as the offer came in it was an easy decision to make.”

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